Air-valve for heating systems.



E. P. ALLEN, DECD.

M. A. ALLEN, BXBGUTBIX. AIR VALVE FOR HEATING SYSTEMS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAE. 26. 1906.

Patented Sept. 8,1914'.

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THE NoRRls PETERS Ca.4 PHDTD-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. L

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Ev'E'RE'TT r. ALLEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; MARY ii. ELLEN, EXECUTEIX or SAID EVERETT P. ALLEN, DECEASED, ASSIGNO ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

R TO DOLE VALVE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

AIR-'VALVE FOR HEATING SYSTEMS.

Application filed March 26, 1906. Serial No. 307,976.

To all @07mm t may concern Be it known that I, EVEEETT P. ALLEN,"a citizenof the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county'of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a `certain new and useful Improvement in Air-Valves for H eat.- ing Systems, of which the following is a specification. f

My invention relates to air valves for heating systems, and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a view in elevation showing a device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view therethrough.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several iigures.

My invention is adapted to be used in connection with steam heating systems, and is arranged to be connected with such a system at some suitable point, as, for example, the radiator.

As shown in the drawings, the present device maybe said to consist of. two parts A and B. rIhe part B, which when in posit-ion is arranged so as to be acted upon by the conditions within the heatinO system, consists of a movable'part or diaphragm B1 provided with an opening B2 communicating with the atmosphere. rIhis movable part is fastened to some suitable holding piece B3 which in this instance is attached to the part is controlled by the controlling part B4 which is associated with a supporting piece B5 preferably adjustable. As herein shown this supporting piece consists of a screw threaded piece working in screw threads in the support B6. This support is arranged so as not to close the p assageway by means oil which communication with the heating system is secured. The movable part or diaphragm B1 normally in engagement with the controlling part B4 so that the opening or aperture B2 is closed, and is preferably provided with a limiting device C which limits its movement so as to prevent injury in the event excessive pressure is exerted on the diaphragm.

I prefer to provide the parts'with a protecting shell or cover C1 which incloses them, and which is provided with an opening 2 connecting the interior thereof with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

the atmosphere so that any air or the like passing from the system through thev opening B2 can escape through the opening C2. fIhe shell or cover C1 is attached to the holdmg piece B3 in any desired manner, as b being soldered or brazed thereto. This holdmg piece forms, as it were, a diaphragm chamber. The holding piece is connected with'the i A1.. The part A is connected with the radiator or other part of the heating system, and is provided with a passageway A2 leading therefrom. The part A is arranged so that the passageway A2 will be open when the system starts up, or when there is air in the system which should be allowed to escape, and Will-be closed when the steam begins to escape. Any suitable construction for this purpose may be used. As herein shown, it consists yoi" a casing A3 forming a lioat chamber adapted to be connected with the heating system, as, for example, the radiator, by a screw threaded connection A4. Within the casing is a loatA5 ing part A6 adapted to open or close the passageway A2 which leads from the heating systemV to the part B and' to thek atmosphere. The float' is controlled by means of a suitable liquid such as water.. TWhen the water rises toa predetermined height, the ioat is lifted .so as to close the passageway andwwhenthe water is lowered the float drops so as to open the passageway. The level of the water is controlled by a pressure chamber Dcontaining iiuid such as air, and communicating with the bottom of the casing byfa connection D1.

v When lthe system is :not operating the part A by means of the projection provided with an engagpressure in the pressure chamber is such that n there is not sufficient water in the casing A to lift the float, and hence the communication to the atmosphere will be open. The arrangement is also such that when the system is in operation and steam begins to escape, the pressure in the pressure chamber D will be increased so as to force the water contained therein and in the connection D1 into the float chamber A3 so as to lift the float and close the passageway A2. 'Ihis increase of pressure is caused by the heat from the heating system passing through the passageway A2, as this passageway passes through the pressure chamberl). The heat heating the air or other fluid in said pressure chamber causes it to expand thus forcing the water into the chamber containing the float.

lhe controlling part Bl' is loosely mounted ils herein shown this holding part is provided with a Y upon the supporting part B5.

recess in which the end ot the controlling part is received, said end being preterably sharpened as shown. The other end is preferably rounded, and the opening in the diaphragm is also preferably provided with inclined faces. part self-adjusting.

oit strain or pressure so that when it returns l,

nevertheless seat because it is free to movev` and adj ust itself to such inequalities.

l have described a particular construction embodying my invention, but it is of course evident that the parts can be varied in many particulars, and l ytherefore do not limit myself to the particular construction shown.

The use and operation ot my invention are as follows: lllhen the system is first started up the air passes out through the passageway f 2, the pressure lifting the diaphragm B1 so that such air can escape through the openings B2 and C. lvl/*hen the steam begins to escape, the heat thereitrom expands the fluid in the chamber D .and it is forced into the casing or iloat chamber A3 so as to lift the ioat and close the passage "ay le?. rllhis shuts oh' the heat from the pressure chamber l), and as the fluid therein cools it contracts and the water or other iiuid is forced 'from the casing or i'loat chamber A3 up through the connection D1, and when the pressure reaches a predetermined amount the level of the water will be such as to cause the float to drop and open the passageway. This action occurs intermittently and automatically so as to intermittently permit the escape of the accumulated air in the system. When the passageway A? is closed the pressure on the diaphragm B1 is relieved. and said diaphragm moved so as to close the opening B2. lWhen the system is shut down the Jfloat A drops so to open the passageway, and the pressure being taken from diaphragm B it moves and closes the opening B2 so as to prevent air from passing into the system. As the steam in the system now condenses a vacuum or partial vacuum is created, and this vacuum or partial vacuum is maintained because the external pressure ot the atmosphere on. the diaphragm B1 keeps it closedv so that the opening remains closed and hence no air can pass into the system. rlhis vacuum is maintained in the system until it is desired to start up the steam, whereupon it will be seen. that the water in the boiler will be evaporated very easily and quickly This makes the controllingl if, for example, the'I dia ahraom is buckled or dis laced because because or the vacuum, and will be rapidly carried to the various heaters and the economy and etliciency ot a vacuum system thus secured.

l have used in the claims the term compression chamber to specify the chamber l) wherein the air is compressed so as to create a pressure by means of which liquid is forced therefrom into the float chamber.

l claiml. A valve 'for steam heating systems, provided with a passageway leading to the atmosphere, a compression chamber surrounding said passageway, a diaphragm entending across said passageway and provided with an opening, a controlling` part associated'with said diaphragm and adapted to control said opening, said controlling part directly engaging the diaphragm and having a part in the plane thereof, the diaphragm being moved by variations in pressure in the system so as to open the communication to the atmosphere when the system is in operation and close it when the system is out of operation, so as to prevent air from entering the system and a 'loat chamber below said compression chamber, a float in said float chamber adapted to con-` trol the passageway leading to the atmosphere, the compression chamber communicating witl the 'lioat chamber below the line of dotation thereof.

2. A valve for steam heating systems, provided with a passageway connecting the sysem with the atmosphere, a compression chamber surrounding said passageway, a diaphragm across said passageway provided with an opening leading to the atmosphere, a controlling part loosely mounted on a support and adapted to control said opening, the diaphragm being moved to and from said part responsive to variations in pressure in the system, a float chamber below said compression chamber, a float in said float chamber, the compression chamber connecting with the float chamber below the line of flotation thereof.

3. A valve iter steam heating systems comprising a casing l'iaving a conduit leading iromthe system to the atmosphere, two controlling devices for said conduit, one responsive to variations in heat and comprising a compression chamber surrounding said conduit, a float chamber below said compression chamber communicating therewith, a ioat in said float chamber provided with an engaging part adapted to close said conduit, the other responsive to variations in pressure, and comprising a diaphragm having an aperture therein, a support associated there with, a controlling part loosely mounted in. said support and toward which the diaphragm moves when the pressure in the system is relieved and which closes said aperture.

4. A valve for steam heating systems comchambe beloW sacl compression chamber in 1o prisng a casing, a conduit leading from Which said float s located and a connection the system to the atmosphere through said between said compression chamber and said casing, a tube nolosed n the casing andy float chamber.

forming a part of said conduit, said tube having a controlling valve at each end thereof, a float located below said tube and controlling one end thereof, and` a compression chamber surrounding said tube, a float EVERETT P. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

PERGIVAL H. TRUMAN, EDNA K. REYNOLDS.

Copies ot this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D.`G. 

